How a Solar Battery Can Eliminate Time of Use (TOU) Charges and Slash Your Electric Bill

If you’ve been looking for ways to reduce your electric bill, you may have come across the term “time of use” or “TOU.” These TOU rate plans, increasingly adopted by utility companies, charge different rates depending on the time of day you use electricity. During peak hours—usually late afternoon and early evening—electricity costs can skyrocket. That’s where a solar battery can make a major difference.

What Is Time of Use (TOU) Pricing?

Time of use pricing means that your electricity rate is not fixed; instead, it's based on when you consume power. TOU plans are designed to encourage energy use during off-peak hours when the demand on the grid is lower. Unfortunately, this often means that using electricity when you need it most—like in the evening after work—can cost significantly more.

How a Solar Battery Helps You Avoid TOU Charges

A solar battery stores the excess energy your solar panels produce during the day. Instead of sending that energy back to the grid or letting it go unused, your battery saves it for later. Then, during those expensive TOU peak hours, your home draws power from the battery instead of the grid.

This energy shift allows you to avoid high TOU rates and rely on the lower-cost, solar-generated electricity you already produced. The result? Lower electric bills and greater control over your energy usage.

A solar battery system installed on the exterior of a house, adjacent to solar panels, highlighting sustainable energy solutions.

Key Benefits of Using a Solar Battery with TOU Rates

• Avoid Peak Charges: By using stored energy during peak TOU hours, you bypass the highest electricity rates of the day.

• Maximize Solar ROI: Rather than selling extra solar power back to the grid at low rates, use it yourself when it’s most valuable.

• Energy Independence: A battery gives you more control over your energy, especially during grid outages or rate spikes.

• Environmental Impact: Using stored solar power reduces your reliance on fossil-fuel-generated grid electricity during high-demand times.

Solar Battery + TOU = Big Savings

Pairing solar panels with a battery system is one of the most effective ways to eliminate TOU charges. Many homeowners see a significant drop in their monthly electric bills after making the switch. As utility companies continue to shift toward TOU pricing models, having a battery becomes less of a luxury and more of a smart investment.

Is a Solar Battery Right for You?

If you live in an area with TOU pricing, a solar battery can be a game-changer. It puts you in control of how and when you use electricity and shields you from unpredictable rate hikes. Whether you’re just starting your solar journey or looking to upgrade your existing system, adding a battery can help you get the most out of your investment.

Ready to start saving? Contact us today to learn how a solar battery can eliminate time of use charges and reduce your electric bill for good.